Gatland had rung the changes with ten new faces in the starting lineup in the Italian capital from the side that came from 16-0 down at half-time to beat France last weekend.

Jonathan Davies captained Wales for the first time with regular skipper Alun Wyn Jones starting on the bench as Wasps flanker Thomas Young and Leicester winger Jonah Holmes making their Six Nations debut.

Wales looked to be cruising in the opening half an hour with Biggar slotting four penalties, the first within the first two minutes, as the visitors dominated possession.

But Steyn got Italy back into the game with a try after half an hour in the Stadio Olimpico which Allan converted before his penalty hit the post to give Wales a 12-7 at the interval.

Wales’ usual skipper Alun Wyn Jones came off the bench after 50 minutes and helped lift the side with his imposing on-field presence.

Scrum-half Aled Davies launched a break from a scrum down the right with Liam Williams setting up Adams for a try which Biggar converted.

Italy responded with an Allan break teeing up Padovani’s touchdown.

Italy followed their 33-20 loss to Scotland in Murrayfield by extending their losing streak in the competition going back to February 2015.

“Obviously we’re very disappointed it was a match in which we had our chance in the second half,” said Italy coach Conor O’Shea.

“It’s bloody hard. We have the ability, but when you don’t have the confidence it’s difficult.

“We want to win the war but have lost another battle today.”

O’Shea’s side next host Ireland in Rome in two weeks time after the Irish bounced back from their opening loss to England to beat Scotland 22-13.

iAfrica, a division of Africa.com Media Group is a multi-platform media company curating, aggregating, and producing news and information. Online for more than 15 years, its mission is to serve as a comprehensive source for better understanding and unity to help make South Africa truly one nation today, tomorrow and for decades to follow.